Tapas Restaurants near Alexandria, VA

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Hidden Gem in Old Town Alexandria!

Alice Cocktail Bar exceeded every expectation and delivered an absolutely phenomenal dining and cocktail experience from start to finish.

The cocktails were outstanding. I started with the Alice, a beautifully crafted blend of Roku Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lychee Liqueur, Butterfly Pea, Yuzu, and Egg White. It was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. I also enjoyed the Gold Rush, made with Four Roses Bourbon, Cointreau, Honey, Yuzu, and Egg White—a smooth, flavorful cocktail that quickly became a favorite.

My partner ordered the Beach House and the Flamingo, both of which were exceptional. The Beach House combined Espolon Blanco, Banhez Mezcal, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Aperol, and Lime for a tropical burst of flavor. The Flamingo was equally delicious and was served in an adorable tiki glass that added a fun touch to the experience.

For appetizers, we ordered the Crab Rangoon and the Grilled Pork Sticky Rice. Let me just say—both were A1 delicious. The pork was perfectly marinated and grilled, and paired wonderfully with the sticky rice and chili garlic lime sauce.

For our entrées, we had the Crab Fried Rice and the Phuket Seafood. Both dishes were absolutely incredible. The Phuket Seafood, loaded with mixed seafood, onions, scallions, bell peppers, young peppercorns, sweet basil, carrots, and roasted chili sauce, was bursting with flavor. Chef’s kiss! The Crab Fried Rice was equally impressive. In my book, both dishes are award-winning.

What truly elevated the experience was the service. Our waitresses were attentive, knowledgeable, and spot-on with their recommendations throughout the evening. Their hospitality made an already fantastic experience even better.

Overall, Alice Cocktail Bar earns an easy A++. Amazing drinks, outstanding food, exceptional service, and a great atmosphere. I cannot wait to return.

I’ll definitely be back SOON!“

“Great Service, before I applaud the food the service from staff is very welcoming, very joyful pleasant spot to have a nice dinner or rooftop vibes, I had the pasta & it was delicious l, affordable, perfect match add on toppings…. 5*“

“Excellent customer service, breathtaking view of the Potomac River. Extensive variety on the menu. I highly recommend all items on the menu, and prompt turnaround time after placing an order.“

“This is my go to spot in Alexandria, especially for happy hour. The Gin Ramen is amazing and they have a great selection of Sake!“

“It was fabulous! I loved how much thought went into the meal and the whole place showed the care and love behind the creations. The food and service were spectacular!“

“Fun night for two out of towners! Food was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though we’re two or three times their ages and not cool at all! ;)“

“A thoughtful shared plates experience. We followed the wise recommendations of our server and were rewarded. Nice spot. Excellent yet not pretentious.“

“Food, service, and atmosphere were top notch. Would definitely go back.“

“I had an amazing experience hosting a large party at El Techo. The owner and team were great! As were the food, drinks, ambiance and service. 10/10, I would recommend this place to anyone“

“We had an early dinner before attending a performance at the Ford’s Theater. We made reservations through Open Table and were immediately seated upon arrival. The service was great. Our server recommended several dishes that we loved. There were abundant vegan and vegetarian options. Chilorio de Res tacos were mouthwatering as were the Hongos en Milto ones. In fact, every dish we ordered was delicious. One dish (chilaquiles) never arrived from the kitchen but we were pressed for time so we opted to have it taken off our bill instead of waiting for them to prepare it separately. Dessert, Cafe de Olla, was phenomenal. Pics are only some of the items we tried. Great atmosphere for date night and a milestone birthday celebration. Highly recommend.“

“I don’t usually write reviews—when I do, it’s because the experience was either exceptionally bad or truly outstanding. This one might be a bit long, so let’s start from the beginning. It’s been 10 years since I moved to Virginia, and I have to say, I love it here. That said, I do miss the beaches and the incredible food from Miami. Ever since I moved, I’ve been searching for the perfect spot—a place where both the food and the service are amazing. Let’s be honest, that’s hard to find. Often, the food is great but the service is just okay, or the service is excellent but the food falls short. When looking for a place to celebrate my wedding anniversary, a few options came up, and one of them was Sabores Tapas Bar. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it there at the time and ended up going to two other places—one was okay, the other was awful. Later, I told my wife we needed to try Sabores, maybe on New Year’s Day. Again, we ended up at a “safe” spot we like to visit. The food and service were good, but it was just our usual go-to. Fast forward to last week: my best friend from Puerto Rico came to visit with his family. He loves to eat, and his wife can be hard to please. This time, we decided to go to Sabores Tapas Bar. I’ll admit, I was nervous—I wanted them to have a great experience, but pleasing everyone is never easy. Finally, we went. What can I say? The food was amazing, and the service was just as incredible. It was so good we couldn’t stop eating. I had high expectations—growing up, my house was always full because my friends came over for my mom’s cooking. She’s an amazing cook. Mom, forgive me for saying this, but Sabores Tapas Bar is as good as, if not better than, your cooking, and the service was amazing. Wow. I’ve found the place. It’s so good that I want to go back and try dishes I normally don’t like, just to see if they can make me love them. I can’t wait to return. My taste buds have found the love of their life at Sabores Tapas Bar.“

“Did the cocktail mixing class. Great food and awesome experience!“

“Had a great experience. I would definitely come back next time we are in DC.“

“Really enjoyed our visit to Gypsy Kitchen! The food was excellent, and the atmosphere had such a cool and energetic feel. Our server recommended getting several plates for the table, and I'm glad we followed that advice because it was the perfect way to try more of the menu. The team was friendly, helpful, and made us feel welcome from start to finish. Great vibes, great service, and a place I'd happily visit again!“

“Incredible food and atmosphere and service 5 stars all the way“

“Absolutely in love with this place! 🍽️✨ The food is a beautiful symphony of flavors, and the atmosphere is just so warm and welcoming. The perfect spot for a cozy meal with friends or a special dinner. Every bite was a little piece of happiness. 💛“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“Good service, good food and awesome drinks!“

“The food was absolutely delicious, showcasing authentic Spanish flavors and beautifully presented dishes. Combined with the welcoming atmosphere and first-class service, this restaurant exceeded all expectations. Noberto, katy and Samuel are always amazing, they really are the best !!“

“Had such a lovely dinner- Michael, our server, was an absolute gem. So kind, warm, fun, and knowledgeable. He gave us the perfect recommendations- we especially enjoyed the garlic knots and rigatoni. Our night was made so special at Reveler’s Hour!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at The Hitching Post DC. I ordered the grilled lamb chops, mac & cheese, collard greens. The lamb chops are in my top 2 of the best I've ever tasted. I don't normally order mac & cheese when I go out to a restaurant, but this order was perfect as well. The collard greens could use a little vinegar, however, they were still delicious. I will definitely dine there in the near future. The lemon cake had was flavorful, moist and delicious, too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“um ambiente perfeito, a comida gostosa como as bebidas“

“Amazing food and a great environment.“

“Excelente lugar para despejar la mente y divertirte ala grande viendo tanta mujeres lindas“

“Great place to go after a long day or on a date . The staff was awesome when it came to what wine may be best to try with which dinner . First timers or old heads to wine excellent place to visit . Will visit every time I am in town“

“Amazing food and service.“

“This is my favorite wine bar in town because the food is delicious and the wine selection is plenty! I also love being able to taste the wines when I come in to pick up. It’s a nice little treat and more often than not, I am pleasantly surprised and buy a bottle of one of the tastings.“

“Great place and great staff!“

“The service is excellent, and the food is beautifully prepared and delicious, served on lovely Armenian-style plates. You can also purchase products from Armenia. I wish you every success and offer a big Armenian shnorhakalutyun (thank you) ☀“

“We made a reservation for Baan Mae, which wasn't necessary but we wanted to ensure we had a table. The food is so complex and fresh. I've never been to any restaurant that compare to this one. The spring rolls were delicious and came with fresh mint, lettuce, rice noodle and peanut sauce to put together. We ordered the catfish with tumeric sauce that was heavenly and complex, and the noodles with brisket. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and will definitely return the next time we visit. Our waiter was extremely attentive and helpful.“

“Don’t let Atxondo’s modest looks deceive you. I was skeptical but some friends wanted to try this place so I went along. I was very pleasantly surprised. We ate vegetarian and everything was excellent. I can recommend the brussel sprouts, tortilla española, crispy potatoes, coliflor, golden beets, fried shishitos, and risotto. I almost forgot to mention the interesting drink menu and the best flan I’ve ever had. Service was great too. Go with a group so you can try everything!“

“The place is amazing . The food is good“

“I don't often write reviews, but La Plaza deserves one. This restaurant ranks in my top three across all of DC, over seven years of living here. Tasty, artisanal cocktails, delicious food (with beautiful, impeccable presentation), great wine selection, and excellent, friendly service. The restaurant is an intimate size, with half the indoor seating at the bar counter.

With too many mediocre restaurants receiving hype from influencers these days, a place like La Plaza stands out as a true gem that knows and appreciates the craft of good food and drinks.“

“Amazing place! We had a baby shower there and could not be more than perfect. The food and service were incredible. Tanya is a great manager and very helpful. We couldn’t be more than happy.“

“Service and food were very excellent!!!!“

“Karl the bartender is what makes this specific location so special. He goes above and beyond to make his customers feel right at home. And his lycheetinis are DELICIOUS. The garlic rice is also very tasty (could’ve used a bigger portion!)“

“Excelente lugar, la comida, la atencion en especial la de Federico, nos dio muy burnas recomendaciones, es excelente.“

“You can make an entire night here on flamenco nights. They have amazing food, and fantastic entertainment! Wait staff is attentive and professional. It is more European style service in the sense that they leave you in peace to enjoy your food, but they are always watching the table to see if you need anything at all. They swoop in to take your used plates etc. This is a must do restaurant in DC!“

“Dinner here on our last night in the DC area and it was delicious! You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes, we are a family of 6 so tried several but the gnocchi and penne pollo were excellent! The pizza was also a hit. Even if you’re stuffed, try a dessert. Again, we loved them all. The tiramisu, cannolis, chocolate cake, and cherry gelato were the perfect ending to our meal. Great, friendly service with a cozy atmosphere and exceptional food. Definitely recommend! All 4 kids agree!“

“the food 😋is delicious and the service is great“

“muy buena atención, exelente comida ahora con los piques machos y variedad de piques del Chillamicito funcionando con la comida boliviana“

“Excellent foods, good vibes, great services!“

“HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The Bazaar at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., offered a unique and vibrant dining experience that beautifully blends traditional and contemporary culinary influences. The restaurant boasts an elegant yet inviting atmosphere, perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions. The decor reflects the sophistication of the Waldorf Astoria, creating a warm and welcoming space. The menu is a feast for the senses, featuring a diverse range of dishes inspired by global flavors. Standout items include the inventive tapas and small plates, which are perfect for sharing. The seafood options, particularly the fresh ceviches, are a must-try, along with the signature paellas that are rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The staff at The Bazaar is attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent service that enhances the overall dining experience. They are happy to make recommendations and ensure that all guests feel well taken care of. The cocktail menu is creative and extensive, showcasing unique blends that complement the food perfectly. The wine selection is also impressive, offering a variety of choices to suit different The Bazaar at the Waldorf Astoria is a delightful dining destination that combines exquisite food, impeccable service, and a stunning setting. Whether you're visiting for a romantic dinner or a celebration with friends, this restaurant promises a memorable experience that captures the essence of fine dining in D.C. Highly recommended!“

“1331 Bar + Lounge was such a pleasant surprise during our stay at the JW Marriott.

What started as a convenient option quickly turned into a place we genuinely looked forward to returning to. The food was unexpectedly great, with a menu that goes beyond typical hotel dining and delivers on both quality and flavor.

Of course, you can’t skip the Rickey. It’s a must while you’re in DC, and 1331 does it right.

What really made the experience stand out, though, was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was warm, friendly, and attentive without being over the top. It created an easy, welcoming atmosphere that made it just as enjoyable to sit and unwind as it was to grab a quick bite.

Whether you’re staying at the hotel or just nearby, this is absolutely worth a stop.“

“Great place to enjoy with friends“

“Lovely spot! Went there for brunch and sat in the sunny window. Steak and eggs was good and fairly priced, as was the coffee. Loved the chillwave/vaporwave playlist on the stereo. Staff were super nice. Totally slept on this place until now, but will be back soon!“

“The Brig is a fantastic bar! It's both family- and dog-friendly, offering a great and authentic Biergarten atmosphere. The staff is super friendly. If you're looking to watch a soccer match, The Brig is my absolute favorite destination in the DMV area.“

“The best tacos and quesadillas I ever had“